Required skills

literacy skills to

apply correct building industry terminology for construction materials and methods

read and interpret written sources of information on the thermal performance of construction materials

numeracy and data analysis skills to calculate and interpret statistical information on the thermal performance of different construction materials and methods

research skills to identify and locate documents and information required to assess the impact of construction materials methods and condition on the thermal performance of residential buildings

technology skills to

operate computer equipment and peripherals

access online catalogues and references to source information on the thermal performance of construction materials

timemanagement skills to provide advice on the impact of construction materials and design elements on thermal performance to clients in a timeefficient manner

Required knowledge

building regulations including National Construction Code requirements

building construction materials including types correct industry terms and sources of information on their thermal performance

building construction methods types materials benefits and limitations and implication for thermal performance of structure

building defects that impact on thermal performance

building design features that may influence the thermal performance of a building

common walls

convection

eaves

floor type

glazing

insulation

landscaping

mass

materials

orientation

shading

siting

thermal mass

ventilation

windows

zoning and layout

building envelope components

flooring

roof

wall

windows

building life cycle and impact on energy use costs and sustainability

building materials

constraints on choice of building materials

cost

practicality

size

space

correct terminology for building materials

causes of and remedies for condensation

passive building design principles

properties of building materials that can influence thermal performance

emissivity

Rvalue

reflectivity

solar absorptance

Uvalue

properties of glazing units that can influence thermal performance

solar heat gain coefficient SHGC

Uvalue

visible light transmission VLT

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by candidates evaluating the impact of construction materials design elements key features of the building envelope and construction condition on thermal performance of residential buildings

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person should demonstrate the ability to

assess the impact of

construction materials on thermal performance of residential buildings

building design and external elements on thermal performance of residential buildings

residential construction methods on thermal performance

common building defects on thermal performance

explain the impact of the construction of key elements of the building envelope on thermal performance

research nonstandard building materials and techniques

identify potential impacts of thermal performance improvements on other health safety amenity and sustainability aspects of building performance

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit

must be in the context of the work environment

may be conducted in an offsite context provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance including task skills task management skills contingency management skills and job role environment skills

must meet relevant compliance requirements

Resource implications for assessment include

access to existing buildings and building materials

relevant codes standards and government regulations

computer equipment suitable for accessing online catalogues and references to source information on the thermal performance of construction materials

technical reference library with current publications on passive building design thermal performance of building materials and construction methods building thermal performance house energy rating schemes and common building defects

Method of assessment

Assessment for this unit must verify the practical application of the required skills and knowledge using one or more of the following methods

written andor oral assessment

observed documented andor firsthand testimonial evidence of the candidate evaluating the impact of the following on thermal performance of residential buildings

construction materials

design elements

key features of the building envelope

construction condition

Guidance information for assessment

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources and the provision of appropriate assessment support

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed

Properties of construction materials may include:

Properties of glazing units may include:

Ways in which the use of building materials may influence the thermal performance of buildings may include:

Physical constraints may include:

Correct use and installation of materials mayinclude:

Building design features may include:

Residential construction methods may include:

Key components of the building envelope may include:

Common building defects and poor construction techniques may include:

Measures for improving thermal performance may include: